Description
This Irresistible Chickpea Salad Melts recipe combines a creamy, tangy chickpea salad with melted vegan or regular cheese, grilled to golden perfection between your choice of bread slices. A flavorful and hearty sandwich that’s perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner, offering a satisfying blend of texture and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chickpea Salad
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2–3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise (or regular mayo)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup finely diced celery
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill pickles or relish
Sandwich Assembly
- 1/4 cup shredded vegan cheese or regular cheese
- 8 slices of bread (whole grain, sourdough, or gluten-free as needed)
- Vegan butter or olive oil for grilling
Instructions
- Mash the chickpeas: Place the rinsed chickpeas in a large bowl and use a fork or potato masher to mash them until they are flaky but still have some texture, not completely smooth.
- Add the dressing: Stir in the vegan mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
- Fold in veggies and extras: Mix in the finely diced celery, red onion, and chopped dill pickles or relish until evenly distributed throughout the chickpea mixture.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread the chickpea salad evenly onto 4 slices of bread. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top, then cover with the remaining 4 slices of bread to form sandwiches.
- Toast to perfection: Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Lightly butter or oil the outside of each sandwich and grill for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Slice the sandwiches in half and serve warm, ideally with a side salad, soup, or chips for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute vegan mayo with regular mayo based on dietary preference.
- For a gluten-free option, choose gluten-free bread slices.
- Adjust the spices to your preferred taste, especially paprika and garlic powder for mild or stronger flavors.
- The sandwich can be made with any cheese that melts well, vegan or dairy-based.
- Serve immediately after grilling for the best texture and flavor.
